Abstract: Devices and methods for treating vascular defects, such as, for example, balloon-type aneurysms, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insertion portion and an expandable implant. The expandable implant is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm and is coupled to the insertion portion. The expandable implant has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The expandable implant is movable between a first configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially linearly aligned and a second configuration in which the second portion at least partially overlaps the first portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating vascular defects, such as, for example, balloon-type aneurysms, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insertion portion and an expandable implant. The expandable implant is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm and is coupled to the insertion portion. The expandable implant has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The expandable implant is movable between a first configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially linearly aligned and a second configuration in which the second portion at least partially overlaps the first portion.

Abstract: A tissue displacing and fastening device is provided for manipulating and fastening tissue together. The device includes a tissue displacing elements, which displaces tissue. A fold is formed from the displaced tissue and the tissue is fastened together to secure the fold.

Abstract: A radial compression band employs a substantially rigid U-like cuff that fits over a patient's arm and then snaps onto a tightening band. A movable bubble member is positioned for movement along the band separate from the attachment to the patient and is inflatable to provide pressure to an incision or the like to accomplish hemostasis.

Abstract: An insertable light-dispensing catheter device, comprising a shaft including a proximal and distal end, a light guide extending through the shaft, and a mirror displaceably extendable from the catheter into a position where the mirror receives and reflects light emitted from the light guide. The mirror can be in the form of a coating on an inflatable balloon; and the balloon, when inflated, can press a patch against a defect (e.g., a ventricular septical defect), while the light cures an adhesive that binds the patch to the structure with the defect, thereby remedying the defect.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly can include an instrument attachment interface, a shaft, a firing member, an articulation joint, and an end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, an anvil, and a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a slot, at least two rows of staple cavities, and a plurality of staples stored within the staple cavities. The staples can be deployed by the firing member. Each staple can include, one, a staple leg comprising planar surfaces and, two, a staple base, wherein the staple leg extends from the staple base, wherein the staple base comprises planar surfaces and a camming surface distally offset from the staple leg and configured to be directly engaged by the firing member, and wherein the staple leg is configured to be formed over the camming surface.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the prevention of stroke. Devices and systems hereof comprise stents configured to fit within at least part of an artery extending from an aortic arch, and at least one component comprising struts for diverting emboli from entering an artery when the component is positioned at or near its ostium. The stents and the deflection component(s) are coupled in a linked configuration. Additionally, a retrieval system and methods of using the same are provided, the retrieval system comprising a sleeve catheter and a retrieval device slidably disposed therein. The distal end of the retrieval device comprises an attachment portion configured to engage a device positioned within an artery extending from the aortic arch.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis assembly for implantation into a native valve site includes a valve prosthesis with a prosthetic valve component and a frame. The frame of the valve prosthesis includes a central portion supporting the prosthetic valve component, the central portion being configured to fit within an annulus of the native valve site, and an inflow portion configured to engage an upstream side of the annulus and restrict movement of the valve prosthesis in a downstream direction of blood flow at the native valve site. The valve prosthesis assembly also includes a separate support flange configured to be attached to the frame after the valve prosthesis has been deployed in situ and a plurality of anchors configured to attach the support flange to the frame and configured to embed into the annulus to anchor the frame of the valve prosthesis to the native valve.

Abstract: Strength of a front end part having a sharp point of a medical suture needle is maintained and resistance when piercing tissue is reduced. There is provided a medical suture needle having a triangular cross section made of austenitic stainless steel having a fibrously extending structure, having two first slanted surfaces (11) ground and sandwiching a ridge (20), and a bottom surface (13) sandwiched between the two first slanted surfaces and ground. The ridge is formed comprising a first cutting blade (1) that is formed by the two first slanted surfaces (11) intersecting, a ridge part (20) that is formed on a body part side of the first cutting blade without the first slanted surfaces (11) intersecting, and a second cutting blade (2) that is formed by two second slanted surfaces (12) ground, intersecting and sandwiching the first cutting blade (1) on a front end side of the first cutting blade (1).

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing, a drive assembly, a trigger, and a shaft assembly. The trigger is operatively connected with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and has a first tubular member pivotally connected with a second tubular member located distally from the first tubular member. An articulation mechanism is operatively connected between the first and second tubular members, and includes a gear rack, at least one gear, and a gear segment, respectfully connected with each other to pivot the second tubular member about the pivot axis. The gear rack and at least one gear are located within the first tubular member. The gear segment extends proximally from the second tubular member.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes customized guidance devices in the form of guidance templates configured to fit over a given area of a patient's body and provide guidance during a tissue treatment or tissue removal procedure of that given area, which may include administration of an agent to a target tissue, target tissue biopsy, target tissue resection, or target tissue ablation. The customized guidance templates are generally constructed via an additive manufacturing process (i.e., three-dimensional (3D) printing) or subtractive manufacturing process (i.e., milling) based on a fabrication instruction file, which may include imaging data of the given area of the patient's body in which targeted tissue treatment is to be performed. The fabrication instruction file may further include additional data, such as the type of procedure to be performed (i.e., biopsy of the tissue abnormality, destruction or resection of the tissue abnormality, etc.).

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device has a hand piece, a probe, and an electromechanical transducer assembly disposed inside the hand piece. The probe is mounted to a distal end of the hand piece and is operatively connected to the transducer assembly. An electrical connector is mounted at least indirectly to the hand piece, while an electrical circuit electrically or operatively connects the probe to the electrical connector. A wire or cable is operatively coupled at one end to the electrical connector and at an opposite end to electrical ground.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for suturing tissue is provided that includes a body having a proximate end and a distal end. A suturing head is coupled to the distal end of the body, including a first set of curved needles, a second set of curved needles, and a plurality of sutures. A first end of a suture is coupled to one of the curved needles of the first set. A second end of the suture is coupled to one of the curved needles of the second set. The curved needles of the first set are oppositely oriented to the curved needles of the second set. The suturing head can be positioned between two substantially parallel sections of tissue. An actuator is coupled to the body to deploy the first and second sets of curved needles.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for harvesting a skin graft(s). The present invention provides a blister raising device integrated with a member for cutting the blister.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to prosthetic heart valves and methods of use thereof. In one implementation, a prosthetic heart valve may include an annular spacer having a spacer opening therein and a disc-shaped wall configured to obstruct blood flow. The annular spacer may be configured for engaging with a native heart valve opening, such as the orifice of a mitral valve. The spacer opening may be sized to be smaller than the native heart valve opening. The prosthetic heart valve may also include a central valve section configured for disposal within the spacer opening. The central valve section may be separate from the annular spacer and may include one or more prosthetic valve leaflets.

Abstract: An inflatable device for insertion into a user's nose for controlling nasal exudation has an elongated shaft including at least one lumen for accommodating a fluid; an inflatable balloon connected to the shaft, the balloon being in fluid connection to the lumen; and an absorber for absorbing nasal exudates, the absorber being disposed at an outer circumference of the shaft and/or at a distal tip portion of the device. Another inflatable device for insertion into a user's nose for controlling nasal exudation has an elongated shaft including at least one lumen for accommodating a fluid; and an inflatable balloon connected to the shaft, the balloon being in fluid connection to the lumen; the balloon containing a cooling agent, wherein the cooling agent is configured to cool the balloon when coming into contact with the fluid.

Abstract: A forceps includes a pair of shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. One (or both) of the shafts is moveable relative to the other about a pivot pin between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position. A knife assembly includes a knife blade mechanically keyed to the pivot pin and moveable between an initial position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within one of the jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends between the jaw members. An actuator arm(s) is mechanically keyed to the pivot pin and extends therefrom. The actuator arm(s) is moveable between an un-actuated position and an actuated position to rotate the pivot pin relative to the jaw members to move the knife blade between the initial position and the extended position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for positioning an epicardial anchor device and measuring the load of a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve and coupled to the epicardial anchor device. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a handle assembly coupled to an elongate member and a docking member coupled to a distal end of the elongate member. The docking member can be releasably coupled to an epicardial anchor device configured to secure a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve implanted with a heart at a location on an exterior of a ventricular wall of the heart. A force sensor device is coupled to the handle assembly and can measure a force exerted on the force sensor device. The force is associated with a tension of the tether extending through the elongate member and handle assembly.

Abstract: A transluminal sheath is advanced transfemorally into a left atrium of a heart of the subject. A surrounding-sheath is advanced out of a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into the atrium, and toward a commissure of the mitral valve. A helix is implanted at the mitral valve by advancing the helix out of the surrounding-sheath and through the commissure into a left ventricle of the subject, such that the helix wraps around at least some chordae tendineae of the mitral valve. A prosthetic valve is collapsed into a collapsed state, and subsequently to implanting the helix and collapsing the prosthetic valve, the prosthetic valve is advanced, in its collapsed state, through the transluminal sheath to the mitral valve. The prosthetic valve is implanted in the mitral valve by expanding it such that the helix facilitates anchoring of the prosthetic valve and sealing of the commissure.

Abstract: A branched graft method includes securing a first end of a branch graft into a first conduit and subsequently moving the second end into a second conduit. The first conduit may be a branch vessel, such as a renal artery and the second conduit may be a main graft that extends over an aortic aneurysm. The branch graft may be deployed starting at an offset distance from the first end, thereby preventing the deployed portion from insertion into the first conduit and predetermining the insertion length into the target vessel. The first end may then be deployed to secure the first end to the first conduit. A branch graft may be a self-expanding stent graft having one or more ripcords, and/or a serpentine ripcord that enables non-linear deployment of the branch graft, or deployment that does not progress from one end to the opposing end.